Back in April, Disney made an announcement that they would be changing their Disability Access Service program.
These changes went into effect back in May in Disney World and have been met with controversial opinions. However, the changes have not been reversed or adjusted, and Disneyland is now officially adopting the changes starting today.
The Disability Access Service (DAS) is Disney’s service intended for disabled individuals who cannot wait in a standard queue. These guests are NOT skipping the lines — they are given a return time equal to the current wait time of the attraction and will wait that amount of time outside of the traditional queue. Then, they will be granted access to the attraction through the Lightning Lane line — they will not get to skip immediately to the front of the queue.
Why did DAS need to change? Well, Disney’s reasoning was to cut down on the line skipping happening in the parks, seeing as DAS usage tripled and was the most requested service in the parks. In order to preserve DAS for the individuals who really need it, Disney decided to make these changes.
So what is different about DAS? One of the main differences is that Disney’s website now lists DAS as a service that “supports Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.” Previously, the wording about what disabilities were accepted was not as rigid. Additionally, the following changes are taking place:
- Registration for DAS now must be done online, not with in-park Cast Members. Cast Members can answer general questions about the service but cannot help guests register for the service beyond directing them to the virtual queue online for a face-to-face meeting via Zoom with a Cast Member
- Disney has partnered with Inspire Health Alliance. While guests registering for the service are still in no way required to share what their disability is, if the Cast Member requires some additional assistance understanding the guests’ needs from a medical standpoint, they can bring in an Inspire Health Alliance medical professional to join the conversation
- The party size has changed from 6 guests allowed to 4 guests, or the user’s immediate family (whichever number is larger)
- The pre-entitlements that originally came with registering for DAS online before visiting the parks now no longer exist for anyone using the service
- Previously, a person’s DAS was only eligible for 60 days. This has now been changed to 120 days
It’s also important to note that any guest found to be lying about anything to obtain DAS will be permanently banned from Disney World and Disneyland.
However, if someone does not qualify for DAS, that is not the only option available to them. Guests may also use the “return to queue” service, which is for anyone who needs to leave the line for a bit in order to make it through the entire queue. Additionally, Disney World Cast Members have informed us that if someone doesn’t qualify for DAS, they can speak to Cast Members at individual attractions about their concerns regarding the wait time, etc.
This is still a relatively new system for both parks, so remember that some kinks are still being worked out. If you have any questions about the changes, you can always stop by Guest Relations and politely ask Cast Members for more information. Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney news and changes!
Read more about the changes to the service right here
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Too bad Disney can’t use their heads. Due to mobility and gastric issues the regular queue doesn’t work for me. If I have to get to a toilet ASAP how do they expect me to leave many queues with an EVC?
I also read their rider switch policy which isn’t like the old days. So if I had a child that didn’t meet the ride requirements in the old days a parent would wait with the kid and then after the family rode, they would switch off the kid. But the old policy would allow you to ride with someone in your party. No mention of this now. Really what is the point of this? Allowing the waiting parent to chose someone to ride with on many rides is just taking up a dead seat.
No more Disney vacations for me. Vacations mean spending time with your family, not spending time away from them because you have issues beyond your control. No way I am spending thousands only to find out I won’t qualify for a DAS after the fact.